Strengthening Institutions in Haiti in the face of Security Challenges
In the face of adversity, there are women who dedicate their lives to creating positive change. The UNDP Women in Crisis Settings series showcases the incredible career journeys of six resilient women who work in some of the most challenging environments on the planet. These stories of determination and perseverance highlight the extraordinary resilience required to navigate crises while also showcasing the profound impact their work has on communities in need. From conflict zones to disaster-stricken areas, these women not only endure but thrive, adapting swiftly and leading with unwavering commitment.
From Flight Attendant to Humanitarian Advocate
Taking on a pivotal role in the efforts to stabilize my country — Haiti — which has endured multidimensional crises for decades now, was a career path that did not evolve in a linear fashion. After I finished school, I left Haiti to relocate to Canada, where most of my family lived, to pursue my university education. My mom had always been very strict, and with her absence in Canada, I decided to spread my wings — in quite a literal sense — and so instead of studying, I became a flight attendant. However, after getting pregnant, I realized I needed to focus on building a career. So, I went back to school and studied sexology while I was still flying. Then, in 2010, the earthquake hit Haiti, and as a flight attendant, I was working on rescue flights. Nonetheless, I still felt powerless and had a deep urge to do more. Moved by this experience and determined to invest in my country, I decided to return to Haiti.
In May 2010, I joined Christian Blind Mission, an NGO that worked with people with disabilities. I then transitioned to working with various humanitarian organizations in Haiti, including the Canadian Red Cross, the American Red Cross, and the American Friends Service Committee, where I served as the Country Director. Alongside this, I was also pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Law. After some thinking and with the encouragement of the Dean, I then took my academic career a step further and returned to Canada in 2018 to pursue a master’s degree, on International Law and Politics. Both my degree and experience set me up for the direction I have embarked on since. After moving back to Haiti in August 2020, I joined UN Women, where I worked in the field of human rights, elections, prisons and gender issues. From there, I transitioned to UNDP as a Cholera Coordinator, mainly to manage the “Haiti Cholera Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund”. When an opportunity arose for the position of Head of the Governance Unit at UNDP in Haiti, I first hesitated. It was only after seeing the posting advertised for a third time, that I went for a leap of faith and applied.
Leading Governance and Human Rights Initiatives in Haiti
As the Head of Governance, I lead a unit consisting of 50 people (national and international) overseeing programs across five key pillars: election support, justice, rule of law and security, local governance, and the social cohesion pillar of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), which focuses on violence reduction and community projects and the fight against corruption. One of my primary responsibilities is election support. We manage the Basket Fund, which is a multi-donor fund mobilized by the United Nations, of which 50 million USD were allocated towards support for the electoral process. At present, we are in a pre-election phase, preparing by supporting the Electoral Council to ensure that everything is set up in advance. This proactive approach will allow us to be ready for elections as soon as they occur.
In the area of justice, we are collaborating closely with the Ministry of Justice. Our efforts include supporting the development of a roadmap for the ministry, which involves among others supporting the needs for the reform of the Penal Code. Additionally, we are working on rehabilitating some courts to improve access to justice for everyone. Our efforts within the justice sector also include certifying judges to combat corruption and maintain integrity in the system. Additionally, we support the Unit for the Fight Against Corruption (ULCC) by providing essential training and tools for investigating corruption cases. We also train people working in detention centers to uphold the rights of prisoners, emphasizing that even in incarceration, human rights must be protected and respected.
Supporting institutional stability in Haiti is a crucial entry point to tackling the country’s deep-rooted and complex crisis. Violence is soaring, and gangs have assumed control over most of the capital Porte-Au Prince. In the last two years, more than 2500 people have been killed, kidnapped, or injured. The humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate, with 362000 internally displaced persons, and 4.97 million people facing acute levels of food insecurity, and health and water facilities dilapidating. Given these circumstances, my main motivation behind the work I do is to really make an impact in Haiti, without having to become actively involved in politics. For example after finishing a training of 53 police officers in how to handle gender-based violence I know deep inside that this will make an impact in the very near future in the people of Haiti.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Professional Growth
Despite not being actively involved in politics myself, through my job I directly engage with those who are. I attend strategic meetings with key ministers — such as the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, and Minister of Planning — and regularly meet with our donors such as Canada and the United States. Apart from steering our programming, I oversee project timelines, ensuring that activities are on track. Generally, the security situation significantly complicates our work, as it often restricts our access to the communities we serve. To overcome this, we collaborate with local organizations which support our project implementation. However, getting essential supplies to the communities remains a constant struggle.
My son frequently speaks highly of me, and although it’s quite flattering, I constantly have to remind him not to mention to his classmates that I work for the UN. Besides that, the word governance in my title tends to evoke the perception of wealth. Due to the frequent kidnappings in Haiti, most people in my neighborhood don’t know I work for the UN. I am a person who likes to keep a low profile, even if it were safer, I’d still prefer peace and quiet at home. People tend to think my role is a big deal, and they suggest I should act more like a “chief of the unit.” But that’s just not who I am. I’ve worked my way up from the bottom, and I want to remain approachable, regardless of my position. In Haiti, skin color is closely intertwined with social status. Paradoxically, it works to my advantage, as it allows me to easily blend in and engage with people to get their genuine perspectives without my rank creating distance between us. It’s only when it’s time for formal speeches that my position becomes apparent. I also recall the reactions of my colleagues when the news of who would be the next Head of Governance spread. They were surprised to learn that it would be a young Haitian woman, not realizing it was me.
After I started my new role at UNDP, those same gender stereotypes have remained to some extent. During meetings with high-ranking officials, I’ve been asked if I’m the assistant, and on other occasions, questions about my marital status come up. However, I don’t see these moments as challenges. I’ve become used to them, especially after working extensively on gender-related projects, such as serving as the Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSE) Focal Point with the Resident Coordinator Office?. I’m aware of the dynamics at play — Haitian men can be very flirty, and often they don’t understand the boundary between casual comments and harassment. My usual response is a firm but playful reminder, like “You know I could sue you for that, right?” That being said, I usually use these moments to educate. Generally, the Resident Representative proudly boasts that all his Heads of Unit are women, and we’re not just here to fill a quota. We’re here because we have what it takes to get the work done.
Balancing Work, Safety, and Mental Well-Being
In my previous role as a director for American Friends Committee, I experienced for the first time a burnout. At that time, I was balancing my studies, as well as being a mother. After this experience, I decided to draw boundaries and leave the office at a reasonable hour, reminding myself that what isn’t done today can be done tomorrow. Nevertheless, my job is still at the center of my life, since I don’t have a social life, mostly because I’m afraid to go out due to the risk of being kidnapped. I live in a small, quiet neighborhood where one could easily have the illusion of normalcy. However, the moment I pick up my phone, a notification may pop up about a movement restriction just five minutes away due to a recent kidnapping. Not seldom do the kidnappings involve people we know. Not only does this mean that I cannot go into the office, but even working from home is difficult, as my brain tends to just shut off after hearing such news. It has also happened a couple of times that my staff has been in an area which is full of gangs. I would call and get no answer, leaving me panicking because there is nothing I can do for them in that moment.
This kind of stress not only affects us mentally, but it also takes a toll on our bodies, in the sense that it impacts our menstrual cycles — an experience colleagues share. While we have access to a psychologist who offers stress management sessions, therapy is not how we are used to coping. In our culture, we unwind by gathering for a street party, dancing, singing, and just letting it all out, for days at a time. That is why Carnival was such an important outlet for us. Sadly, that is also one of the things that we have been forced to put on hold as a result of the surging insecurity and violence. The other day, I joked with a colleague that we need a panic room here — not the kind for emergency situations, but one where we release what’s bottled up inside of us through screaming.
When I first applied for my current position, I never expected to actually land the role. But had I not taken that first step and applied, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My first piece of advice to anyone considering a career in the UN system is simple: go for it. Even if you have doubts about your qualifications, take the leap. My second piece of advice is for those interested in applying for roles in crisis settings: don’t let the word “crisis” scare you. UNDP has strong structures in place to ensure your safety. In fact, working in a crisis environment is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Working in a crisis setting is really where you can evaluate yourself, as you are always learning on the spot and no situation gets resolved in the same way. Essentially, crisis settings are unique environments for professional development and the lessons you’ll learn go far beyond anything you can find in a textbook.
